When the Cubs decided to make Mike Quade their new manager roughly one month ago, they effectively ended their relationship with Ryne Sandberg, one of the franchise's most popular players. At the time, Sandberg announced he had "shifted his focus to opportunities with other teams." And on Monday, that opportunity came: Sandberg has been hired as the manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate.
Ryne Sandberg Hired As Phillies Triple-A Manager
The announcement was made by Chuck LaMar, Assistant General Manager, Player Development & Scouting. Sandberg spent the past four seasons as a manager in the Cubs’ minor league system: Single-A Peoria (2007-08), Double-A Tennessee (2009) and Triple-A Iowa (2010). Overall, he amassed a record of 284-277-1 (.505).
Sandberg was named Manager of the Year in the Pacific Coast League after the 2010 season, his first at the Triple-A level, after leading the Iowa Cubs to a tie for the best record in the Northern Division (82-62).
The 2005 Hall of Fame inductee was originally drafted by the Phillies in 1978 before being traded to Chicago (along with Larry Bowa) for Ivan DeJesus. Thirty-two years later, he makes his return to the Philadelphia organization.
For more on the Cubs and Phillies, respectively, visit our team blogs, Bleed Cubbie Blue and The Good Phight.
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